Page 58

“Well, technically, you did that to yourself.”
Rage courses over his face as he grabs my shirt and hauls me close to his face. “You started it when you kidnapped Aria and blamed me for it. Elio believed you without hesitating and attacked me. I couldn’t stand for that. I refuse to be treated like that. But this all started with you, Finn. If you had just stopped, then…”
“Then what? You really think you could have peace with Erik and Dante? With my brother? After how they all treated you. I know you never forgave them. I know you hate them. So, let’s just work together again to bring them down.”
“We tried that for a year and it got us nowhere.”
“No. We weakened Dante and Erik’s drug shipments. We made them lose millions of dollars.”
“The only way to bring those men down is to kill them. It’s something you’re capable of, isn’t it? If you want to work together again, Finn, then go kill Erik. Should be easy for you. But can you kill Dante? You were once friends.”
“I can kill Dante.”
“But can you kill Aiden? Your own brother?”
I try not to waver but it happens. It fucking happens.
Viktor huffs and lets me go with a shove. “I thought so.”
“I may not be able to kill my brother but I can kill Dante. I can kill Erik. They’re the ones running the show. Once they’re gone, we can swoop in and gain power. You know it.”
“You tried to turn me against my own wife.”
“Inessa lied to you about who she really is. I was just making you aware of it.”
Viktor looks like he could punch me. “You really are an asshole, you know that? If you want to work together again, Finn, then you need to prove yourself. Kill Dante or Erik for me and then we have a deal.”
I want to cuss Viktor out for acting all high and mighty with me. He’s a fucking Bratva man who’s killed people, no better than I am.
But he has more resources than I do. More power than I do. I need him more than he needs me.
“Fine,” I grumble. “I’ll fucking prove myself to you, Viktor. Once Dante and Erik are dead, we can run this city. But if you go back on your word, I’m coming for you and your wife.”
“You will never go anywhere near Inessa again.”
“Or your sister then.”
“You will never even set eyes on Julia. Leave my wife and sister out of this. This war is between us men, not the women. Give Aria back.”
“I married her, you know.”
“I heard.”
“So, I can’t give her back. She’s mine now.”
“Then you better kill Dante soon or he’ll kill you. Watch your back, Finn. Or don’t.” He slams the door in my face.
Fucker. Fine. I’ll go kill Dante or Erik. But I will never be able to get close enough to them at their houses or any of the businesses they own. Not when they’re surrounded by guards.
I need to draw them out.
And I have just the idea.
My brother will not be expecting me to attack him. I have no desire to kill Aiden but I need to do whatever I can to draw Dante out.
Aiden isn’t as well protected as Dante and Erik are. He lives in a luxury apartment building with one security guard out front. I know which apartment my brother lives in. If I spook him, he’ll go straight to Dante and I can kill Dante that way.
I walk right past the security guard and head to the elevators. If you act like you belong somewhere, no one will question you.